National Consumers League statement of support for SEAT Act of 2017

Washington, DC—The National Consumers League (NCL), America’s pioneering consumer and worker advocacy organization, applauds the House and Senate introduction of the Seat Egress in Air Travel (SEAT) Act of 2017. This bill, introduced by Senators Blumenthal (D-CT), Schumer (D-NY), Markey (D-MA), Menendez (D-NJ), and Feinstein (D-CA) and Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN), and Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) would establish airline seat size minimums that will protect the health and safety of consumers. NCL urges Congress to quickly pass this important consumer protection legislation.

The following statement is attributable to John Breyault, Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications and Fraud:

“As anyone forced to squeeze themselves into ever-smaller airline seats can attest, consumers continue to face comfort, health and safety issues while flying. In addition to causing poor circulation, many safety experts fear that the airlines’ reduction in seat size compiled with flying fuller airplanes could hinder their safe evacuation. The SEAT act provides a common sense solution to this problem by requiring safety experts to set minimum seat size standards. We applaud the bipartisan and bicameral leadership shown by the sponsors of this bill.”

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About the National Consumers League

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America's pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.